Path Not Taken 72

Haruno Sakura

Hinata just rushed off after Naruto. This situation is getting worse by the minute!

Haruno Sakura

(How did things get so complicated? Naruto with Azula? Akatsuki after him again?)

Hatake Kakashi

Two years... two years since Naruto left to join Azula in the Grass Village. I still can't figure out his true motives.

Hatake Kakashi

Sending him against Akatsuki doesn't make strategic sense unless...

Haruno Sakura

Itachi confirmed it was Naruto who saved Gaara after the Shukaku extraction. Somehow, he restored him!

Haruno Sakura

But that shouldn't be possible, Kakashi-sensei. The bijuu extraction is always fatal!

Hatake Kakashi

Sakura, stay here and heal Shikamaru. I need to engage Itachi and then catch up with Hinata.

Hatake Kakashi

Whatever Naruto's planning with Azula, we can't let Hinata get caught in the crossfire.

Haruno Sakura

This doesn't add up! Why would Azula risk her alliance with Naruto by sending him against Akatsuki?

Haruno Sakura

Unless... she's using him for something we don't understand yet.

Hatake Kakashi

I'll find answers after I deal with Itachi. Naruto may have gone rogue, but he's still my student.

Hatake Kakashi

(Naruto saving Gaara despite Shukaku's extraction... there's more to this defection than meets the eye.)

Haruno Sakura

Be careful, Kakashi-sensei! I'll stabilize Shikamaru and then follow as backup!

Haruno Sakura

(Naruto, what are you really up to? Whatever it is, we're not giving up on you!)